SJR36: Joint Resolution Text

LRB-4649/1

PJD:kmg:jf

1999 - 2000 LEGISLATURE

1999 Senate JOINT RESOLUTION 36

March 1, 2000 - Introduced by Senators Moore and George, cosponsored by Representatives Coggs, Turner, Colon, Young, Morris-Tatum, Williams and Riley. Referred to Committee on Senate Organization.

SJR36,1,1 Relating to: the life and public service of Bernice K. Rose.

SJR36,1,3 Whereas, Bernice K. Rose was born on March 3, 1918, in Black Shear, Alabama, and moved to Milwaukee in 1952; and

SJR36,1,6 Whereas, Bernice Rose was employed by the federal government in the Internal Revenue Service and U.S. Customs, receiving the Albert Gallatin Award (the highest award presented to an employe of the U.S. Treasury Department); and

SJR36,1,9 Whereas, after the death of her husband, she won a special election in 1977 to become the first African-American woman elected to the Milwaukee County Board, representing parts of Milwaukee and Glendale and serving until 1992; and

SJR36,1,12 Whereas, Bernice Rose was known as a "tough, opinionated and honest" civil rights activist involved in the NAACP during the Civil Rights Era and also as "a kind and decent woman who tried to do the public good"; and

SJR36,2,2 Whereas, Bernice backed housing programs and aid for the elderly, including a senior center at North King Drive which was named after her husband, Clinton E. Rose, and was known as "a special person whose care and love for people dominated everything she did"; and

SJR36,2,7 Whereas, Mrs. Rose never had children of her own but hundreds of African-American women in Milwaukee considered her a mentor in politics, including Milwaukee County Supervisor Elizabeth Coggs-Jones, who stated "she was the best friend you could have", and Senator Gwendolynne Moore, who attributes her first senate election campaign to Mrs. Rose's counsel; and

SJR36,2,10 Whereas, she wanted to be known as a hard worker who influenced civil rights, politics, mentored African-American women and made accomplishments for the "good of the community"; now, therefore, be it

SJR36,2,14 Resolved by the senate, the assembly concurring, That the members of the Wisconsin legislature commend the public service that Bernice K. Rose contributed to Milwaukee County, express their sorrow at her death and extend their condolences to her family and friends; and, be it further

SJR36,2,18 Resolved, That the senate chief clerk shall provide copies of this joint resolution to members of the Wisconsin Legislative Black and Hispanic Caucus, Milwaukee County Board, Milwaukee County Historical Society, Wisconsin Black Historical Society and America's Black Holocaust Museum.

SJR36,2,19 (End)